Wilkes County Bridge Report Card
Wilkes County scores 62 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Wilkes County, North Carolina
Wilkes County has 349 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 51 rated poor and 5 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 14.6% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 56,245 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Wilkes County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 62/100 (D). The county has 349 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 51 in poor condition and 5 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 56,245 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 14.6% | 29.2 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 8.1% of measured traffic | 6.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.4% | 2.9 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 42 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 698,675 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 14.6% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.4% |
| Average Bridge Age | 42 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 56,245 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Wilkes County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sr2333 over Mulberry Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,600 | 1973 |
| Us421b over Reddies River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 18,000 | 1935 |
| Nc268 over Rock Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 7,600 | 1938 |
| Sr1001 over Cub Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,600 | 1969 |
| Sr1185 over Yadkin River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,500 | 1952 |
| Nc268 over Warrior Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,000 | 1960 |
| Sr1943 over East Prong Roaring River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,500 | 1964 |
| Sr1931 over Little Elkin Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,300 | 1967 |
| Sr2044 over Elkin Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,100 | 1966 |
| Sr2049 over Long Branch | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,100 | 1978 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.